A stainless steel automatic Rolex Datytona chronograph with papers and tags.  The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, launched in 1963, and was designed to meet the needs of professional pilots.  The patented chronograph movement and bezel, with tachymeter scale, allows pilots to measure the exact average speed up to 400 kilometers per hour. The watch would also be loved by motor racing professionals and enthusiast.  Most notably, Paul Newman who owned a number of Daytona models throughout his life, putting them to great use while behind the wheel.

It is a watch that there is no mistaking.  It is unlike any other Rolex model in the line.  With its striking, contrasted dial and famous case silhouette, there is no other watch quite like the Rolex Daytona. This model, the ref. 116520, was launched by the brand in 2000, at the time replacing the  16520 which was introduced in 1988, and importantly presenting to the Daytona lineage Rolex's first fully in-house chronograph movement, replacing the very successful and superb Zenith El Primero movement.

It is a very well balanced design, striking and immediately recognisable. With its forty millimeter steel case, screw-down pushers, crown, and bezel all providing a distinctive canvas for the unmistakable dial configuration they surround.  On the dial, the contrasted look between metals, black and white, all work together to present the recognizable chronograph aesthetic, its date-less display supremely well-balanced and symmetrical, with a small red "Daytona" script serving as the watch's signature. 

The applied Super Luminova filled hour markers along with the Rolex coronet punctuates the style, while a pair of lume-accented baton hands steadily indicate the time.  As mentioned prior, this new reference, the 116520, introduced to the Daytona lineage the widely-praised Rolex caliber 4130 to power the watch, replacing the caliber 4030, based upon Zenith's famed El Primero caliber with significant modifications. The caliber 4130 has from its launch become the brand's standard chronograph mechanism, even into the ceramic-bezel contemporary ref. 116500, complete with superlative chronometer timekeeping and a 72-hour power reserve.

This example presented, with its white dial, is perhaps the best version of this reference.  The black printing and notably red Daytona, really pop from the clean glossy white dial.  The condition of the watch is unused and is complete with the Rolex paperwork card, tag with serial sticker, wax tag, warranty booklet, Daytona booklet and factory service booklet.  The plastic bezel protector is also presented with the watch. 

This watch, now replaced by the ceramic bezel models, is becoming more desirable as it retains a little more of the ‘vintage’ overall appearance. Also, being that this reference launched the first Rolex in-house Chronograph caliber for the model, it will remain a very desirable and collectible model as time passes.  Given its condition and complete nature, this example will become extremely coveted as the new models continue to evolve.